Need a Thanksgiving Shortcut? Try One of These Products

These widely available products are shortcut saviors — they'll save you time and energy on Thanksgiving without skimping on festive feast flavor.

We all know the holidays can get hectic. You're supposed to be enjoying time with your family. Instead you're stuck in the kitchen fearing the turkey isn't going to be ready in time. These products can easily prevent day-of disasters of any kind, giving you the peace of mind you need to actually give thanks on Thanksgiving.
Need some side dish inspiration? We're got 53 classic Thanksgiving sides for you to mix and match to customize your celebration.

1 of 15

Turducken

A whole host of holiday problems can be solved by pre-ordering a turducken (a chicken inside of a duck inside of a turkey) for the feast. You'll be able to feed more people with less effort while getting compliments all the same.

Having a vegetarian or vegan holiday visitor over? No problem! Rather than stressing about making enough sides for them to get enough food, buy a Tofurky Roast to make.

3 of 15

Whole Foods Stuffing Mix

If you're an organic eater, never fear, there's a quality stuffing mix out there for you, too. Prepare some veggies, mix in some butter, and you'll have a decadent dressing or stuffing in no time.

4 of 15

Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix

Adding some chopped and seasoned veggies to a stuffing mix is a simple way to give it a homemade touch. We've read good things about this mix, and it's easily spruced up for your holiday meal. Try one of our shortcut recipes.

Sure, there are fancy herb mixture recipes out there for the holidays, but if you don't have time a pre-mixed seasoning is a good standby. It's a quick and simple way to add a lot of flavor to several of your Thanksgiving day-of dishes.

6 of 15

Gravy Mix

Having gravy mix on-hand is helpful whether or not you're using it exclusively. Some free range birds are too lean to produce enough juice for homemade versions, especially if you're entertaining a large crowd.

7 of 15

Ready-to-Bake Biscuits

A hot, buttery biscuit is synonymous with family dinners but they're really not a main feature of Thanksgiving dinner. Focus your energy elsewhere and let these reliable stand-bys take care of themselves.

8 of 15

Canned Candied Yams

These yams are a sweet, Southern alternative to regular sweet potato sides. The brown sugar and spices will thrill everyone with cozy cinnamon and nutmeg; all you have to do is decide whether you'll serve it with or without a marshmallow topping.

9 of 15

Microwaveable Green Bean Casserole

It's a dish everyone is expecting to see on the holiday table, but you shouldn't have to slave away in the kitchen just because of tradition. This satisfying shortcut is microwaveable and serves three. You can grab a couple and prepare them as needed based on your guests' appetites.

10 of 15

Pre-Made Pie Crust

Homemade doughs are great, but the real star of the show is the pie filling. Give yourself a little extra time to craft those crave-worthy desserts by using a ready-made crust. We have just the recipe for that.

If you're more of a pumpkin cheesecake family, a pre-made graham cracker crust can save you some serious day-of hassle. Cheesecake filling can be made ahead of time and simply slipped into a purchased crust. Any recipe is simplified with this shortcut.

The delivered-to-your-doorstep pies from Grand Traverse Pie Company are good enough for Oprah, Country Living, and Good Morning America, so you can be sure your guests will love them too. If you want to add a little touch of your own, try a dollop of Bourbon Whipped Cream.

If you want an easy way to offer your guests an array of desserts without the days of baking prep, consider ordering a mini pie sampler, like this one from Little Pie Company. You'll get Old Fashioned Apple, Key Lime, Mississippi Mud, and Sour Cream Apple Walnut — a flavor to please every palate.

Now in festive flavors like Hard Cider and Spiced Sangria, pre-made cocktails make entertaining a breeze. The alcohol is already mixed in, meaning you don't get stuck with bottles of booze you won't actually use.

15 of 15

Mulled Wine Mix

The name is a little deceptive — all you have to do is add hot water and you're ready to spread seasonal cheer. Make a large batch so that while you're cooking, guests can serve themselves.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Delish participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.